Draft rigging



March 27, 1934. w F, RICHARDS 1,952,284

DRAFT RIGGING Filed Aug. 29, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l J 6 /9 gwuenko'o All March 27, 1934. w. F. RICHARDS DRAFT RIGGING Filed Aug. 29, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 i? ll/ March 27, 1934. w. F, RICHARDS 1,952,284

DRAFT RIGGING Filed Aug. 29 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet a dam;

Patented Mar. 27, 1934 NET" STATES PATENT ()FFICE DRAFT RIGGING Application August 29,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to draft rigging for railway cars and more particularly to couplers and means for connecting a coupler to a yoke member for transmitting force to associated cushioning mechanism. r

The principal object of the invention, generally considered, is to provide means for connecting the shank or stem of a coupler to a yoke or the like whereby the coupler head is permitted a radial movement with respect to associated cushioning mechanism and at the same time to maintain uniform contact with the cushioning mechanism so that buffing forces will be transmitted thereto, directly and over a substantial area thereby preventing angling of the cushioning mechanism or associated follower block, which is in engagement under these conditions, with the coupler stem or butt portion. Another object of my invention is to provide a coupler with a stem adapted to receive a transversely extending coupler key and. to interpose between the coupler stem and key, a member capable of relative movement with respect to one of said members, whereby the key is maintained under pulling strain substantially at right angles to the yoke or other mechanism connected to the coupler.

A further object of my invention is to provide aswivel butt coupler which is interchangeable with a rigid shank coupler and slotted for receiving a horizontal draft key, angling of said coupler being provided for by forming the butt of the coupler shank as a vertical spool portion connecting the parts of the shank above and below the key slot, a key piece being mounted of the coupler stem by a vertical pivot pin extending through said spool portion and forwardly extending flanges on'the butt member engaging the upper and lower surfaces of said spool.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and parent as the description proceeds. 7

Referring to the drawings illustrating my inon the key and formedwith a rearwardly open-,

construction 'of the various parts will become ap- 1928, Serial No. 302,697

vention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:

Figure 1 is a plan of one form of ,my swivel butt coupler particularly showing the stem or shown in Figure 1 detached from the associated parts.

, Figure 3 is a horizontal. sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 1, looking in the direction'of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan of the coupler stem proper, partly in horizontal section, with the associated key piece and butt member detached therefrom.

Figure 6 is a plan partly in horizontal section of the key'piece separated from the coupler stem. 1

Figure '7 is a similar view of the butt member separated from the coupler stem.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are views corresponding, respectively, to Figures 5, 6 and 7, the parts, however, being illustrated in side elevation, partly in vertical section, rather than in plan.

Figure 11 is a plan of the stem of a modified form of swivel butt coupler, withthe same shown partially in horizontal section on the line '11-11 of Figure 12, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the coupler stem shown in Figure 11, a portion thereof being shown in vertical section.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 13-13 of Figure 12, looking in the direction of the arrows. V

Figure 14 is a plan of the stem of another form, of swivel butt coupler, shown partly in section on the line l414 of Figure 15.

Figure 15 is a side elevation of said form of coupler stem, shown partly in vertical section.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 16'16 of Figure 15, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters and first considering the embodiment of my inven tion illustrated in Figures 1-10, inclusive, the numeral 1 designates the stem or shank .of a swivel butt couplerand the rearend or butt portion of which for that purpose is reduced and curved to form the vertical spool portion 2. Forward of the spool portion 2, a slot 3 is provided for receiving a horizontal draft key 4, which serves to connect the coupler stem with the associated yoke 5, or other force transmitting means.

The slot 3 at the rearmost end thereof is enlarged as indicated at 6, and receives a block or key piece 7 having a forwardly opening notch 8, normally receiving the rear edge of the key 4, and a rearwardly opening bearing notch 9, engaging the spool portion 2 of the coupler stem for angling motion therewith. The forward edges of the flanges 16 defining the notch 8 in the key piece '7 are curved coaxially with the spool portion 2, and the enlarged portion 6 of the key slot has its corresponding walls 11 similarly curved so that angling between said key piece and spool portion of the coupler stem is not interfered with. It will be appreciated that the spool portion 2 serves as a connection between the upper and lower portions of the stern, which lie on either side of the slot 3 therein.

The key piece 7 provides for angling between the coupler and associated key under the action of draft or pulling forces. In order to provide for such angling to the action of bufiing forces, a butt member 12 is provided with forwardly extending upper and lower flanges 13 and 14 normally lying above and below the spool portion 2, and pivotally connected thereto by a pin or rivet 15. Said pin or rivet 15 is preferably coaxial with the spool portion 2 and formed with heads 16, countersunk so as not to extend beyond the flanges 13 and 14. Between the flanges 13 and 14 a bearing pocket 17 is provided, normally engaged by the rearmost face or surface of the spool 2, and of corresponding contour, so as to provide for angling therebetween.

The forwardly extending walls of the butt member 12 normally engage the corresponding rearwardly extending walls on the key piece '7, said walls on the butt member being preferably notched as indicated at 18, and the walls on the key piece having corresponding projections 19 adapted to engage in said notches 18 for causing the parts to normally interlock, as illustrated most clearly in Figure 3. In order to assemble the key piece and butt member with the coupler stem, said key pieceis first inserted from the side and turned to the position illustrated most clearly in Figure 3. The butt member is then applied as illustrated in the same figure, and the rivet or pivot pin 15, after insertion, holds said butt member in place. After application of the rivet l5, removal of the key piece '7 is prevented on account of the engagement between it and the butt member.

The rear surface of the butt member 12 is preferably flat, and normally engages the front surface or face of the associated follower 20, shown most clearly in Figure 1. In the present embodiment, my coupler is shown connected with a horizontal yoke and adapted to be used with standard Farlow attachments, but it will be understood that I am not limited to this showing. The yoke illustrated, in addition to having for.- ward slots for receiving the associated key 4, also preferably has rear slots for receiving a second or rear key 21, which supports the front follower 20, as illustrated. It will be understood that both of said keys are adapted for reception in correspondingly slotted cheek plates and side sills (not shown).

' From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided a swivel butt coupler, which is adapted to angle freely under the influence of either draft or buffing forces. When draft forces are applied to the coupler, the same are transmitted from the spool portion 2 to the key piece 7, which engages the rear edge of the key 4 and transmits such forces through the key to the yoke 5. Inasmuch as the curved surfaces on the spool and the flanges of the key piece above and below the key are coaxial with the pivot means 15, any necessary angling is adequately provided for. Such angling is, however, limited by the clearance between those portions 22 of the butt member 12 on either side of the connected flanges 13 and 14 and the adjacent portions 23 of the coupler stem 1 as most clearly shown in Figure 1. Although the spool portion 2 is generally cylindrical, the forward face thereof may be slightly cut away as indicated in 24, to prevent-engagement with the key 4.

Under the action of buffing forces, the same are transmitted directly from the rear surface of the spool 2 to the corresponding bearing pocket 17 in the butt member 12, and from. the rear face of saidbutt member to the associated. follower block 20, and associated cushioning mechanism (not shown) Inasmuch as the pivotalv means 15 is loosely fitted in the spool portion, and coaxial with the bearing surface on the butt member and key piece when engaged with the spool 2, it is relieved of buffing and pulling strains under all conditions and merely serves to hold the parts assembled. Although I do not wish to be limited to any special dimensions, it will be appreciated that the external dimensions of my swivel butt coupler may correspond with those of a rigid shank coupler so as to be interchangeable therewith.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated, in Figures 11, 12 and 13, a construction is there disclosed in which the stem 1 has a slot 3 near the butt end thereof, and the portions above and below said slot are, as in the first embodiment, connected by a spool portion 2 As contradistinguished, however, from the first embodiment, the spool portion Zeis prefer ably elliptical in section, that is, the curved section is elongated transversely. As in the first embodiment the rear portion of the slot 3 is enlarged asindicated in 6 and a key piece '7 is received therein. Said key piece is formed with a forwardly opening pocket 8 adapted to engage'the rear edge of an associated key (not shown), and a rearwardly opening bearing notch 9*, adapted to engage theelliptical or oval spool portion 2 whereby angling therebetween is permitted, said bearing notch 9 being preferably of approximately the same shape as the spool portion 2*, but slightly larger to permit rocking between said spool portion and the key piece. The edges' of the flanges 10 of the key piece above and below the slot 3 are curved as in the first embodiment, 'so as not to interfere with the angling between said key piece andcoupler stern.

A butt member 12 is provided as in the first embodiment. and formed with upper and lower flanges 13 i and 14 pivotally connected to the spool portion 2 by means of a rivet or pin 15 sufiicient clearance being provided between the pin and the spool portion 2 to avoid draft or buffing strains thereon. The butt member 12 has a forwardly opening bearing. pocket 17 of approximately the same curvature as the engaging surface of the spool portion 2 but slightly larger to receive said spool portion and permit rocking therebetween. As in the previous embodiment, the forwardly extending sides of the butt member 12 engage the rearwardly extending sides of the key piece '7 and thereby prevent undesired removal thereof.

When the coupler angles the action between it or the spool portion 2 thereof, and the-key piece and butt member is similar to that ofthe previous embodiment, except that rolling friction is substituted for sliding friction, the elliptical or elongated spool portion 2 rolling on the bearing surface 9 of the key piece '7 on draft, and on the corresponding surface l7 of the butt member 12 on bun. j ;As in the previous embodiment, angling between the parts is limited not only by the clearance between the coupler and the associated parts, but also by those portions of the butt member l2 on either side of the flanges 13 and 14 which would eventually engage the adjacent portions of the coupler stem 1 Inasmuch as the swivelling action causes rolling contact, rather than sliding, and the bearing surface of the spool being preferably elliptical, is necessarily not coaxial with the pivot member 15 although the curved edges of the flanges 10 may be coaxial with the pivot member 15 a certain amount of clearance between them and the adjacent portions of the coupler shank must necessarily be provided, because of the motion being not strictly about the axis of the pin 15 This will be understood, when it is considered that under the action of draft forces the instantaneous axis of rotation is the line of contact between the spool portion and the bearing notch in the key member 7 while under the action of buffing forces, said instantaneous axis of rotation is the line of contact between the spool portion 2 and the butt member 12 In other words, the axis of angling changes not only between draft and buffing, but also in accordance with the degree of angling, so that the axis of the pin l5 is only a rough approximation of the axis about which the coupler angles.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 14, 15 and 16, a

1 struction and operation of the assembled swivel butt coupler of the present modification corresponds with that of the embodiment illustrated in Figures l-lO, inclusive.

The forms previously described and illustrated are characterized by the fact that they are all built-up constructions and adapted to be assembled and sold as a unit, the parts being so interlocked that no extraneous device or locking means are necessary for holding them assembled. Although the pivot pin is designed to form the center of motion, or the approximate center of motion, of the coupler shank, it is on both bufiing and draft efiectively relieved from strains and the bearing area against which the coupler key block and butt member respectively engage is sufficient in dimensions to adequately transmit the forces applied thereto without destructive wear. The key piece and butt member are comparatively in- 5 o expensive to produce and are of such form that they may be readily manufactured by the drop forging process, which, of course, greatly increases their strength and resistance to wear. Should they be damaged they may be readily replaced by simply removing the pin, substituting a perfect 1 member for the damaged one, and reinserting the pm.

It will also be noted that the coupler stem with the exception of the form shown Figures 14, 15 and 16, may be maintained of standard size, that is, the'dimensions thereof may correspond with those of a rigid shank coupler, thus adapting this form of coupler for use with either horizontal or verticalattachments without change. The position of the key slot and other details of the prepivotally connected members, a key slot formed r in one of said members, and a block positioned in said key slot, adapted to engage an associated key and held from relative movement with respect to the other of said members by engagement therewith.

2. A coupler stem formed with a curved butt and slotted for receiving a key, a key piece adapted to enage the rear edge of an associated key and presenting a rearwardly opening curved bearing notch for engagement with the curved butt portion of the coupler, and a member receiving the curved butt portion and pivotally connected to the coupler stem, said member also engaging the key piece and holding it in place.

3. A coupler stem with a curved butt portion slotted for a connecting key, a key piece adapted for engagement with the rear edge of an associated key and presenting a rearwardly opening curved bearing notch for engagement with the curved butt portion of the coupler, and a butt member formed with a forwardly opening curved bearing portion for engagement with the butt of the coupler, said butt member also engaging the key piece, and means pivotally connecting said coupler stem and butt member.

4. A coupler stem with a key slot adjacent the,

butt portion thereof, said butt portion being formed with a substantially cylindrical bearing spool at the rearmost end, a key piece formed with a rearwardly opening bearing notch correspondingly curved and engaging the spool portion of the coupler, and a butt member formed with a forwardly opening correspondingly curvedbearportion, and pivotal means connecting said buttand spool portions.

5. A coupler stem with a curved butt portion and. a slot adjacent said butt portion for receiving a horizontal draft key, the rear portion of said slot terminating at the curved butt portion of the coupler so that a bearing spool is formed between the upper and lower portions of the coupler, a key ring notch engaging the rear surface of the spool pler spool for angling with respect thereto on burl, said butt member having-upper and lower webs extending above and below the coupler'butt member engaging the key piece for retaining it in place.

7. In railway draft rigging, in combination, a coupler stem comprising a plurality of pivotally connected memers, a key slot formed in one of said members, a block positioned in said key slot and held in place by engagement with said members, yoke, and a key extending through the key slot and corresponding slot in said yoke for connecting said coupler stem thereto.

8. In railway draft rigging, in combination, a coupler stem comprising a pair of interconnected members one of which is formed with a key slot, 2. block seated in said slot and adapted to engage the other of said members, a yoke and a key passing through the slot in the coupler stem, corresponding slots in the yoke and engaging said block for connecting said coupler and yoke.

WILLARD F. RICHARDS. 

